Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2)

by Virginia Wine

  “Dottie, you’ve been a great help.”

  “Oh, Bryer, I just remembered Cash was a junior partner under him, he was a part of his team. You may want to ask him if you need additional information.”

  Now, that’s information, crazy scenarios are spinning simultaneously in my mind. This has Cash written all over it—deceit, deception, and dishonesty—all his characteristics. How far is he capable of going?

  “Call if you need anything else, dear.” And we hang up.

  I still don’t have all he answers I’m looking for, but the pieces are coming together. And if Cash is at the bottom of this fucking mess, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  ~Nathan~

  I walk into Bryer’s office building on edge, prepared to put an end to all this fucking bullshit. She’s my wife, damnit, we said vows promising commitment, forever, through the good and bad. Here’s the bad, Okay the really bad. But I’m not prepared to fuck this up by staying angry, I’ll hear her out, we’ll work it out.

  I make my way to her office door, closed. I’m prepared to knock but hear voices. I stop myself unashamed of my intrusiveness.

  “Bryer, he only cared about owning you.”

  “No, Cash, he loved me, until you fucked it up.”

  “Me? That’s absurd, I didn’t drag you to my cabin by force. Admit it you wanted to go to Austin with me, stop lying to yourself.”

  “Okay, Cash, I’ll admit there’s some truth to that, but it’s the same damn thing over and over again. You pull me in, you get me close then hurt me. How can I be sure it won’t happen again?”

  “I promise you, Bryer, I can be faithful, and earn your love, if you’ll have me.”

  And that’s when things happen in slow motion. I kick the door open, leaving me at a loss for words, when I witness the embrace. Bryer in his arms, Cash’s hands on her. Ready to unleash my fury, my willpower kicks in. Lies all lies, everything was a lie. I turn to leave, hearing her run behind me.

  “Nathan, wait, I love you.”

  “Do you? I don’t think so.” Unable to stop, I keep walking.

  “Please, please listen,” she begs.

  My entire body covered in sweat, I’m trapped and can’t move, my arms held close to my body while panic sets in. My breathing is irregular and my heart beat erratic. And within the edges of my mind, I wake to sheets tangled around my body trapping me, drenched in my own perspiration. I’m shaking as I battle my way back to reality. Slamming my eyes shut, forcing the pain away. It was only a dream, I repeat over and over until I convince myself it’s true.

  Still the lingering sadness drags along with my every action. I force myself to shower, shave and perform the most simple of tasks, it takes every effort to look myself in the mirror. I don’t recognize the man staring back. “Fucking brutal.” I say aloud to the stranger in the mirror.

  I manage to make it downstairs, memories hitting me at every turn. I feel sick, empty, the pain is like a growing cancer that will consume me. I take a breath and pick up my phone. Pulling up my calendar, it reminds me that I’m under pressure with endless meetings today. Fuck.

  “John, please prioritize the meetings today,” I ask, unable to hide my incoherent state of mind. “Keep only the ones where it’s imperative I attend,” I say.

  “Nathan, what’s wrong?” Worry in his voice.

  “Can you please just look over our schedule?”

  “Of course, the only one that I would insist on is your lawyer is scheduled to be here at two o’clock. If you can make that one, I can cover the others. Are you going to fill me in, Nathan?”

  “No.” The tension evident.

  He doesn’t pry, he lets it go.

  “See you then.” And I hang up.

  Seeking some sort of stress relief, I head to my home gym, I lift weights, too heavy for me as they hover over my chest. Pushing myself to the limit, I hit every machine and end up on the treadmill, running from my demons. The speed and incline set at a punishing level. Attempting to cleanse the turmoil that’s eating at me, driving me to insanity.

  Another shower later, and I’m speeding like a crazy fuck in my Aston Martin, the thrill when it hugs the corners and hums under my fingers is intoxicating, the control keeping me fucking sane. I arrive at M&M and meet John in his office. His door is open, waiting for my arrival, and when he looks up, he leans back in his chair the pen he’s holding with each hand stills, as he takes me in.

  The arch of his brow is the only acknowledgement of my arrival, and I can’t hide the small smile that appears when the expression on his face is identical to Max, his best friend. My father. He doesn’t address our previous call, he just moves on.

  “Right on time, let’s go to the conference room, they’ll send in Brett Augusta when he arrives.”

  I shake my head and we walk in silence. I grab a water on the sideboard and take a seat allowing him the head of the table. I notice he pours himself coffee, in complete silence. Takes his seat, and starts writing on his pad of paper. His brows bumped together with worry.

  “It’s Bryer.” It just comes out, I didn’t plan to talk about it, and now that it’s out, I’m not sure what else to say.

  “I’ve been married for 23 years,” he offers as some sort of understanding.

  I’m beginning to see why Max and John were so close, he’s comforting me without saying a word. And that was that.

  The knock on the door refocuses me on the job at hand.

  In walks Brett, we stand shake hands and he grabs a water in one hand, holding several folders in the other. “So,” he begins. “I’ve had my work cut out for me, gentlemen.” But said with a smile. While opening the first one. “The patents, the provisional patents have expired, we have submitted a claim in your name, Nathan. Along with M&M’s company name, but also a dispute to hold it up before Cash gets the application to the government.” He looks up at both of us. “This is good news, gentlemen, we may have just beat him at his own game.”

  “Just to clarify, we are in the process, but we haven’t officially stopped him,” I ask.

  “We’re close, Nathan, technically we have put in so many hoops he’ll never be able to submit them officially in time.”

  A sigh of relief is heard from both John and myself. We exchange a quick glance and find some satisfaction there.

  “Moving on, the Foundation. We found a clause that allows the primary stockholder to disperse funds at any time, even though the managing of the foundation is officially assigned to Cash Harrison.”

  “Meaning exactly what?” John asks.

  “That M&M and Nathan can start a new foundation entirely draining all the funds from the original. The name will have to change, but I thought you might consider putting it in Max’s name. This will only require some paperwork and filing, but we have to be prompt, time is of the essence in both cases.”

  As he slides several pieces of papers my way, I watch as John lays his beloved Mont Blanc pen in front of me.

  “Please,” he says.

  “With pleasure.” His cocky wink and confident smile speaks volumes. I can feel the hammer coming down on Cash and one small part of me comes alive. Good fucking riddance.

  “It won’t be long now.” Brett gathers his papers and stands, an unashamed smile on his face. “I’m all about diligently seeking justice, Nathan.”

  “That’s apparent.” We all shake hands as I sigh a breath of relief. Followed by the sight of John’s smile.

  “The code of honor will always come out on top.” Reaching for his special pen, he smiles. “Max gave this to me.” And he quietly leaves the room.

  I follow behind him, knowing we have not won the war, but have claimed the mountain. Now I have to face the gut-wrenching solitude of my empty home. Without my wife.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  ~Bryer~

  I wake with purpose, one objective in mind—to write my resignation, and present it to Cash in person. I went back and
forth last night if I wanted to do this face-to-face, and I decided that facing him is necessary to make my point, and make it loud and clear.

  There’s regret in leaving. I’ve enjoyed my work, I’ve built it up and contributed to its success. I’ll be walking away under a cloud of sadness.

  I’m apprehensive about seeing Cash under the circumstances, his egotistical arrogance won’t be able to contain himself as my resignation will be a strike in his winning column. I won’t breathe a word of the devastation he caused in my personal life, I won’t give him that.

  I’ll let the anger empower me in every sense of the word, he won’t see weakness, that’s all I’ll have to hold on to. That and my honor.

  I shower and change into jeans and a sweater, certainly this doesn’t justify anything else. Scarfing down the last biscuit and a sip of coffee, I immediately regret it when my stomach protests minutes later. I grab the Pepto from the refrigerator and take a swig, holding my nose. “Gross.” Shaking my head in disgust. This is what stress does, manifests itself into something physical.

  I reach the entrance, and with each step, my emotions intensify. I see the painted words Sea Blue on the entrance wall that have been here since before I started. There’s a white wash painted over it as if this is the first step in removing it. He’s obviously changing the name, it bothers me, but after today it shouldn’t matter, I won’t let it matter.

  Retreating to my office for solitude, I start typing the letter I never envisioned I would be writing. I get the first line written, I reread it several times, not knowing exactly what else to say because the truth certainly isn’t an option.

  Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from Sea Blue Marketing.

  I date it, and sign it, assuming he’ll read between the lines.

  I wait impatiently for it to print the one line that says it all, acknowledging this changes the trajectory of my future. A ping of regret hits me, but I don’t let it change my course. I abruptly leave my office in search of Cash. We’ve been here in this exact place before, it never gets easy. My first priority will be to show Nathan how much he means to me, by walking away. Proving I choose him, but not with words with actions. And if quitting is the only way, I’ll gladly do it. “I need to have a word with Cash, Mr. Harrison.”

  His secretary meets me with a warm smile. “He’s currently out of the office Bryer.”

  After a long minute. “I need to leave this in his office.” Waving the paper in my hand.

  “Of course, Bryer, do you want me to unlock it for you? I’m leaving for my lunch break anyway. Would you like me to bring something back?”

  “That’s nice of you, but I’ve been having some stomach issues, saltines and water will be my lunch.”

  She shrugs. “That’s sounds awful.”

  I shake my head in agreement, distracted by my mission.

  “Lock up when you leave, and leave the key on my desk,” she instructs, as she hands me the key.

  I wait ‘til she’s left, and step In front of the door, knocking, not doubting her word, I just never willingly walk in on danger unannounced. When no one responds, I unlock open the door and walk in. I stand, staring at his desk, remembering the several meetings with Thane, happier times.

  I lay my resignation down in a prominent place and notice Cash’s computer, and push the thought away. The thought of revenge is beneath me, but the desire to punish him is winning out. I’m sick and tired of Cash always having the upper hand. A few words come to mind, sinful, sleazy, shameful, and I let them float by without another thought. I just put myself on his level.

  I take his seat, turning his computer on, the flashing request for its password appears, Cash only used one password the entire time I knew him. Could he possibly be that predictable? I type the words “I object” and I’m in. Holy fuck, that was easy.

  The screen comes to life and there’s a folder on the desktop named Sea Blue Plan, I double click on it, and it’s as if a hundred files come to life, it’s hypnotic. Maybe I can teach this bully a lesson.

  I just start from the top and double click it open. The first being the sale contract of this company, the fact that Nathan’s father’s name is there is not a surprise, but still disgusts me. Evil playing with evil equals evil.

  Maxwell James is the next file, but when I open it, I only sees tons of legal documents—some I’m familiar with some I’m not. But it’s clear this entitles Cash to control over many aspect of Max’s company. Dated only months prior to his death. The thought sickens me, taking advantage of a dying man. How low of a human do you have to be to hurt a dying, sick, feeble man.

  M&M patents. I open this file up and notice at least a dozen patents in process, all with Cash Harrison’s name by M&M Global. It’s mostly medical related and terminology and I’m not clear how far he’s been able to infiltrate this department. Does Nathan need this? I pull out the drawer and find a thumb drive and insert it, downloading as much as it will hold.

  M&M foundation. I’m able to add this file, and the ones I’ve opened to the thumb drive. Before the space is no longer available. I’m just curious if Cash kept any secrets that would trip up Nathan trying to regain control.

  Roberts and Kendrick file. I open it next and the first page is an open-ended contract of the sale of Sea Blue, also a document that doesn’t look legit handing the company over in full from Nathan Sr. to Cash Harrison. There’s a new player, he has a buyer already in mind, and it looks like Kendrick is facilitating the transaction. This is bullshit, as much as I have distaste for Nathan Sr., these crooks are just plain scamming him. Maybe this is karma rearing its ugly head, I look for another thumb drive and start copying everything while I read, there’re too many illegal things going on here. Obviously, this may not hold up in a court of law, but that’s not my intention.

  Sonja. I hover over her file hesitating. Questioning if I really want to open this, the one woman who changed my life in a split second. Destroyed my dreams and my future. Little did she know she saved me from the biggest mistake of my life. I open and there are dozens of explicit images, some too graphic, and violent to be seen as pleasure. Several thoughts run through my head, is Cash holding these as blackmail, or are they really into this? There are some that are horrific, it’s obvious she is not enjoying it. Cash is there, he’s seen in several of the photos. I notice a confidentiality contract she signed, and several other legal documents. I’ll leave this be, I don’t want anything to do this with this file, the bastard.

  Kahale. Squeezing my eyes shut in disbelief, Cash doesn’t know who this person is, only a handful of people do, I’m terrified when I double click and there it is—emails, correspondence between the two of them. I copy of a wire transfer of $50,000 from Cash to Kahale. Gritting my teeth in anger, I start to read, there was an agreement where Sonja arranged on behalf of Cash to stop the marriage license from making it to be recorded. Ultimately stopping our marriage to be finalized. Anger radiating off me, as the realization hits me that Nathan and I are not legally married. Jesus, how …no, why would Cash do this for God’s sake. In a split second I went from hopeful to I’m nothing. The room is spinning, and I’m disoriented, this can’t be real I need more proof than this.

  Marriage license. I click on this, assuming this is Nathan and my license that was never recorded, but when the realization hits me, it’s worse than I could have ever imagined. I’ve been hit by a freight train, eyes flashing in disbelief as I see a marriage license, but it’s not Nathan’s name that’s on it. It’s Cash, Cash and mine. Sweet Mother of God, Dottie’s stamp is on this, I know she played no part in this, I realize I signed it in Austin. There’s an unknown Justice of the Peace who has signed it too. I wanted to curl into a ball and cry, as my stomach churns. My eyes flooding with tears, unable to hold back the profound pain of what has happened. What has he done? And once more Kendrick’s names appears as he has sent the marriage license off to be recorded. Fuck, what is the date on that? Just yesterday. I need to
stop it before it’s recorded.

  Then I see the files on the very bottom, they stand out to me as if a flash of lightning just took me down. Suspended in time, I gather the strength, the strength I’ll need to open what I know will be another bomb going off in my heart. Can I survive it? Be brave. Mom, are you here? I may need you for this one.

  ~ ~ ~

  Will-Ann Reid Insurance policy. It’s open, but I’m a coward, I can’t bear to open my eyes. I feel myself plunging into darkness, until someone catches me, causing my eyes to flash open and look around to no one in the room, I’m totally alone. Or maybe I’m not, maybe she’s right over my shoulder. I swallow hard, and I glance at the first page.

  Charles Berman is the trustee’s name is on top. It’s my mother’s will, she goes into great details about the provisions of her death. Why didn’t she tell me? Why leave it all in the lawyer’s hands? I wanted that box, her things, I wanted it all. I knew she was incoherent during her illness, but I’m confused as to why she planned it this way.

  After digging through the will, it mentions the life insurance policy.

  A whole life insurance policy issued to me when I was a baby. Paid-up additions, which reinvest dividends, I recognize companies like Apple, Walmart just to name a few.

  My mother put in two stipulations—I had to be of age, over twenty-five and married. I scroll down to the last page. 5.2 million. The value is worth 5.2 million dollars.

  The trustee has died, leaving no trace of it then I recall Dottie’s words. Cash was on his team, he knew about this, hid it and played it ruthlessly. Everything is disintegrating around me. An acid taste in my mouth, I feel the bile rise as I run towards the bathroom, it’s lodging itself in my throat, inhaling a deep breath and blowing it out slowly, buying time to make it down the hallway.